Fluid flow device



July 6, 1943. J. D. NIXON FLUID FLOW DEVICE Filed April 1, 1940 6SheetS-Shegt 1 Jsd dy 0. N/xan Julyfi, 1943. N.X;, 2,323,838

FLUID FLOW DEVICE Filed April 1, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jul 6, 1943. J}.b. NIXON 2,323,838

FLUID FLOW DEVICE Filed April 1, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 6, 1943. J.D. NIXON FLUID FLQW DEVICE Filed April l, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July1943- J. D. NIXON 2,323,838

v FLUID FLOW DEVICE Filed Apr-11 1, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 6, 1943.J. D. NIXON 2,323,838

FLUID FLow DEVICE Filed April 1, 1940 1 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented July6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID FLOW DEVICE Jeddy D. Nixon,Houston, Tex.

Application April 1, 1940, Serial No.327,181

21 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fluid flowdevices.

The invention has to do with devices for regulating or controlling theflow oi fluids, particularly fluids which flow from oil and/or gaswells, although the invention is not, limited to use in the oil and gasindustry. Primarily. uch devices are employed where it is desired tocontrol and maintain a desired working or flowing pressure of fluids,particularly high flowing pressures; and wherein pressure diflerentialsare employed to motivate the valve. These devices are commonly calledregulators and obtain their reduction by varying the restriction of theopening therethrough, but devices made in accordance with the inventionherein have no intermediate function between a full open and a fullclosed position. When used in the flow stream of an oil and/or gas well,the device is connected in the flow line, either beyond the well head orin advance of any pressure reducer.

The devices now on the market, so far as know, have three seriousobjections which have caused the trade to either discontinue their useor to add additional, expensive equipment with each device used. One ofthe main objections to the present-day devices, especially thoseconnected in hydro-carbon flow lines, is that they freeze, which iscaused by the moisture present in the fluid being controlled. Suchfreezing occurs in the body of the device, due to the drop of pressureacross the openings therein. These devices employ reduction of pressuretherein by ally installed in complicated by-pass arrangements to serveas stand-bys to be used while the thawing and servicing or the frozendevice is carried out.

Another of the serious objections to the flow control devices now incommon use is that a slight opening of the valve in the body forcontrolling the flow of fluid therethrough will cause cutting andexcessive wear on the valve and its seat, whereby in a short period oftime the device leaks and naturally fails to control the flow of fluid.

Another objection to present-day flow control devices is equally asserious and this is that it is impossible to accurately reduce thesupply of a fluid to a pre-determined pressure and to maintain thereduced flow at the desired pressure.

The trade has accepted this variance of the desired pressure and intheir calculations, where a flow device is used, allow for fluctuation.

Usually the pressure of the fluids when obtained from an oil and/or gaswell is many times that desired' or required to operate variousequipment, such as gas-lifts, fire boxes of boilers, turbines and motorsfor driving various apparatus and numerous other equipment. Thispressure fluid ordinarily is gas supplied from a permitting pressure tobleed off a diaphragm well, but may be from a re-pressuring station,

or a natural gasoline plant and the pressure of this gas may be normallyas high as 2,500 to 5,000

pounds per square inch and in numerous instances, is much greater. Ahydro-carbon fluid under high pressure is very dangerous and dimcult tohandle, particularly when used in field lines and in'surface equipment.It is the usual practice to reduce such pressures to about 300 to 500pounds per square inch, at which pressure the fluid is used. If thisreduction in pressure can be accomplished at or adjacent the fluid flowsource, then expensive high pressure fleld lines are not necessary andthe danger of such presadditional fluid and again increase the reducedpressure fluid to the desired point, so that the actual reduction occursthrough the partially opened valve.

Freezing is extremely objectionable, because it clogs the device and thesame has to be shut In the installations of the now availableflowdevices, it is necessary to install heaters and numerous scrubbers orwater knnckout devices.

These heatersare used to heat the high pressure 7 gas, in order toreduce its tendency to freeze when a rapid reduction oi gas occurs andthis practics of heating is not only extremely dangerous, but it is alsovery expensive to install such heaters and operate and maintain thesame.

One obTect of the invention is to provide improved means for overcomingthese diiflculties. whereby freezing of the mechanism will beeliminated, a substantially uniform pressure maintained, and excessivewear on injury to the working parts, due to valve restrictions, areprevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid flowidevice which will not freeze up, whereby the use of a heater or otherexpensive equipment therewith is not required.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluidflow control device which tain this pressure with a few'poundsdifferential between the pressure at which said device opens and thepressure at which said device closes,

whereby the desired pressure will be held on the "downstream" or reducedside of said device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved flow controldevice which may be readily adjusted to maintain the desired reducedpressure, which adjustment may be easily made by an operator withoutspecial tools.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid flow controldevice so constructed as to control the flow oiany fluid from anysuitable source and maintain an even, reduced flow of fluid, whereby anyfluctuation of pressure in the source of fluid will not be transmittedto the reduced side of said device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid flow controldevice which is so arranged that the actual reduction of pressure doesnot occur within said device, although the flow of fluid through saiddevice is controlled, whereby any drop in pressure across the openingthrough said device is prevented Another object of the invention is toprovide a fluid control device, the construction of which permits it tobe so connected that a reservoir of reduced pressure fluid is obtained,whereby a volume of reduced pressure fluid may be used without causingexcessive operation of said device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid flow deviceso constructed that excessive wear on the valve and seat therein isprevented, whereby leakage therethrough does not occur and positiveregulation is had.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flow control devicewhich is set to operate on a pre-determined difl'erential between itsopening pressure and its closing pressure, whereby the operation of saiddevice is reduced to a minimum.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid flow controldevice which will remain closed and not pass fluid until apre-determined differential from the pressure at which the device closedhas been reached at a point removed from said device, the valve in thefluid passageway is then fully opened and remains open until the samedifferential has been reached at this same point, whereby said valve isthen completely closed. The opening and closing of this valve takesplace rather quickly, so that no reduction, throttling, or metering ofpressure fluid occurs at said valve. 3

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features and objects of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingspecification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which anexample of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a regulator, constructed inaccordance with the invention, connectecito a well;

Figure 2 is a similar view, show;ng the regulator connected in a pipeline;"

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view, showing the regulator connected into adistribution system where the casing of a well is used as a reducedpressure fluid reservoir;

Figure 4 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showingthe details of the regulator which is in an open position to pass fluidtherethrough;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of the controlmechanism of the regulator;

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-4 ofFigure 5;

Figure 7 is a similar view, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 ofFigure 5;

Figure 9 is an enlarged, detailed view of a modifled form of theinvention;

Figure 10 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of the controlmechanism for the modified form;

Figure 11 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line ofFigure 10; and

Figure 12 is a similar view, taken on the line |2-|2 of Figure 10.

The numeral l5 designates a valve body having internally screw-threadedboxes l3 and I6 diametrically opposite each other for receiving theexternally screw-threadedpins of an inlet pipe I 1 and an outlet ordischarge pipe H. The lower end of said body is provided with anexternally threaded drain or cleanout plug IS. The upper end of saidbody is provided with an upstanding, externally screw-threaded boss IQfor receiving a supporting bracket 20. The upper end of this bracket isprovided with a radially extending, external flange 2| having aplurality of bolt holes 22 therein. An annular crown or cap 23 issuperim osed u on said bracket and is provided with a. flange 24 similarto the flange 2|, which is formed with a corresponding number of boltholes 25. The flanges 2| and 24 are clamped together by a plurality ofbolts 26 and nuts 21.

A suitable diaphragm-28 is clamped between the flanges 2| and 24-by saidbolts 26 and nuts 21. The upper end of the bracket 20 is formed with a pston chamber 29 in which a piston 30 is rec procably mounted and has itsouter edge reduced to form a flange or supporting lip to receive anadapter ring 3|, which is undercut to engage a shoulder 32 in saidpiston chamber 29, in order to limit the downward travel of said ring.The upper edge of said ring is beveled or rounded, so that no sharpcorners or edges are presented to said diaphragm 28, whereby a more orless continuous, smooth surface, which together with the upper surfaceof the piston 30, is obtained for the underside of said diaphragm. Thepiston 3|] is mounted on the upper end of an upright valve stem 33extending downwardly therefrom and the upper surface of said piston isprovided with an annular, axial sump or recess 34 for receiving a nut 35for locking said piston on said valve stem 33. This recess 34 is closedby a flat, circular plate-0r disk 36, so as to form a continuoussurface-across said recess with the upper surface of said piston.

The valve stem 33 extends downwardly through a stufling'box 31 mountedon the upp r end of the boss l9 of said valve body ii. The lower end ofsaid valve stem is provided with a flat, annular valve member 38 forengaging a removable seat 38 threaded into a transverse partition 48 insaid valve body l (Figure 4). It will be seen from Figure 4, that theflow of fluid from the pipe l1, through the valve body i5, to the pipel1 will be controlled by the opening and closing of the valve member 38on the seat 39 in said partition 48. The drain plug l8 permits the easyremoval of said valve'istem 33 and said seat 39, as well as replacementof these -parts in case of wear or damage.

The upper end of said cap 23 has an axial, screw-threaded opening 4| forreceiving a reduced, externally screw-threaded pin 42 depending from acollar or nipple 43 for supportingthe same. The upper end of this collaris formed with an internally screw-threaded box 44 for receiving areduced, externally screw-threaded pin 45 of a nipple or coupling member45, which has an upstanding,screw-threaded pin 41 for receiving anoblong, supporting web or bracket 48. The outer ends of this web areprovided with screw-threaded bolt holes 49 for receiving upright studpins or bolts 58. The lower ends of each of said stud bolts 58 areprovided with a hexagonal boss 5| to" limit the engagement of said boltsinto said web 48, as well as to give additional support 7 to said bolts.The upper ends of each of said bolts are provided with a reduced,upstanding, co-axial pin 52, the upper ends of which are threaded toreceive nuts 54. These pins 52 receive an annular piston chamber 55having, an external, radially extending flange 55, which is formed withbolt holes for engaging over said reduced pins. A concavo-convex crownor cap 51, having a similar flange 51', is mounted on said pins 52 ontop of a circular diaphragm disk 58 so that said nuts 54, bearingagainst the upper surface of said cap 51, will clamp said diaphragm 58between said piston chamber 55 and said cap 51.

A flat, circular piston 59 is mounted within said piston chamber 55beneath said diaphragm 58 and upon the upper end of a piston rod 58. Thepiston 59 and the piston rod 58 are clamped to said-diaphragm 58 by anut 5| upon the upper surface of said diaphragm, so that said piston andsaid rod move with said diaphragm. An oblong spring support or web 52surrounds said piston rod 58 and is mounted on said stud bolts 58intermediate their ends for supporting and exerting a tension on a'coiled spring 53, the upper end of which engages beneath said piston59. For adjusting the tension of said spring 53 on said piston, saidpiston rod and said diaphragm; a pair of nuts 54 and 55 are threadedonto each of, said stud bolts 58 with the nuts 54 supporting said web 52and the nuts 55 being above said web 'to lock the same against said nuts54, so that by screwing the nuts 54 up or down, the tension of saidspring 53 may be increased or lessened, and the nuts 55 tightenedagainst said web to clamp the same against said nuts 54,.

The piston rod 58 extends downwardly through a stufling box 55 formed onsaid pin 41 of said coupling member 45. The axialbore 51 of saidcoupling member has a reduced portion 58 which serves as a guide for theupper end of a co-axial, upstanding, tubular pin or dart 59. This dartextends down through the reduced pin 45 and depends therefrom, throughsaid collar 43 into the reduced pin 42 of said collar. The lower end ofthe axial bore 81 of the reduced pin 45 of said coupling member 45 iscounterbored at 18, below said guide 58, to accommodate an expandablepacking or sealingring 1| which surrounds said dart 59, so as to" closeoil the axial bore 51 of said coupling member 45 from the bore 12 ofsaid collar 43. The lower end of the, bore 12 of said collar 43 iscounterbored at 13, whereby a ground, tapered seat 14 is formed on theshoulder between said counterbore 13 and thebore 12.

The dart 59 is externally upset or thickened intermediate its ends so asto provide an external, annular boss 15, the upper surface of which istapered to form a valve face or member 15 and a shoulder 11 is formed onits lower surface. A stop washer or ring 18 is slidably mounted withinsaid counterbore 13 around the lower end of said dart beneath said boss15, so that its upper face may engage the shoulder 11. A small, coiledspring 19 is mounted within said counterbore 13 beneath said ring 18 toexert an upward tension or thrust on said ring 18, on said shoulder 11and on said dart 59, whereby said valve face 15 will be held against itsseat 14. A perforated plug 88 is threaded into the lower end of saidcounterbore 13 to support said coil spring 18 and to limit the downwardtravel of said dart 59. The upper surface of said plug 88 is providedwith a co-axial sump or recess 8|, the up per end of which iscounterbored so as to form a seat 82 to receive the tapered end or valveface 83 on the lower end of said dart 59. Said dart 59, being tubular,is provided with an axial bore or passageway 84 extending 'therethroughand the upper edge of said passageway 84 is counterbored to receive thetapered lower end 85 of said piston rod 58. The piston rod 58 isprovided with an axial passageway 86 extending from its upper end towithin a short distance of the lower end of said rod and a plurality ofradial ports 81 extend outwardly from the lower end of said passageway85 through the wall of said piston rod 58.

It will be seen in Figure 4, that pressure fluid may enter from a. pipe88 into the cap 51 above said diaphragm 5B and into the bore 86 of saidpiston rod 58 and out through said radial ports 81. The tapered face 85of said piston rod 58, being spaced from the counterbored upper end ofsaid dart 59, will permit'this pressure fluid to flow through thepassageway 84 of said dart into the counterbore 13 above the perforatedplug 88. Inasmuch as said piston rod 58 is-not engaging the upperend ofsaid dart 59, said spring 19 will lift said dart and hold said valveface 15 against the valve seat 14, whereby the tapered end 83 of saiddart will not engage the seat 82. It will be seen that said pressurefluid will flow from the passageway 84 into said counterbore 13, throughthe perforations 89 of said plug 88, onto the upper surface of saiddiaphragm '28 and when suflicient fluid has accumulated upon saiddiaphragm, the same will be expanded which depresses said piston 38,said valve stem 33 and said valve member 38, which opens the portthrough the partition 48, as is shown in Figure 4. It is pointed outthat the spring 38' is a very light spring and merely serves to hold thevalve member 38 in engagement withits seat 39, while said regulator isbeing shipped. As soon as the fluid accumulating above said diaphragm 28has expanded sufliciently to slightly open or crack said valve 38 fromits seat 39, the flow of pressure fluid through said seat will partiallyequalize the pressure on both sides-of said seat, which'will permit saidvalve member to immediately drop to a full open position, whereby fluidmay flow from said pipe ",1 through said valve body I5, into said pipeII.

In operation, inasmuch as the regulator is used to reduce a relativelyhigh pressure and sometimes a fluctuating pressure to a lower, steadypressure, I have shown in Figures 1 and 2, two hookups where a regulatorof this type may be used. In Figure 1, the invention is illustrated asconnected to the usual casing head 90 of a well, in which it is desiredto maintain approximately 2. given pressure in the casing 9| around thetubing or flow string 92. The usual fleld line or high pressure supplyline I I I is connected into the box I8 of the valve body I5 and theoutlet box I 6 receives one end of a connecting pipe II'I'. Of course,the usual by-pass pipe 93, with a suitable, manually operated gate orshut-oil valve 94 mounted therein, connects pipe II! with pipe II'I'around the regulator valve body l5. A

similar gate valve 95 is connected in said line I I I between the valvebody I5 and the inlet end of said by-pass 93 and a similar valve 95' isconnected in the line I I1 between the valve body I5 and the outletendof said by-pass, so that by operating said valves 94, 95 and 95', theflow of fluid from pipe II'I may be through said by-pass 93 or throughsaid regulator valve body I 5. The other end of the pipe 1' is connectedinto a collar 95 which is connected to one end of a suitable Bell qhoke91. This choke 91 is screwed into one of the usual outlets 98 of saidcasing head 90 and has a flared opening I39 in one end with a removableflow bean jet I3l threaded into its other end. This jet has a bore I32,of whatever diameter it is necessary to have the fl'ow opening in saidchoke to restrict the flow of fluid through saidchoke, as desired. Thus,by installing a jet with the proper bore, any flow desired may beobtained. It will be seen that the restricted portion of said bore I32of said jet I31 terminates in a flared passageway that corresponds tothe flared opening I 38 of said choke 91, so that a continuous, flaredopening or sur-- face is had. The discharge end of said choke has anextended flange, in order that said flared opening may be carried intothe pipe or collar with a very slight difference between the insidediameter of said opening and the inside diameter of the pipe or collarinto which said choke discharges. The pipe 88 extending from the pilotvalve cap 57 is connected to one of the other outlet openings 99 of saidcasing head 90, which is preferably diametrically opposite the outletopening 98. The pipe 88 is preferably provided with a manually operatedgate valve 88' and with a suitable screen or strainer I08, which willremove all foreign matter to prevent the same entering said cap 51 andcausing damage or unnecessary wear to said regulator operatingmechanism.

This regulator enables the port in the partition 48 to be fully openedor completely closed, so that when fluid is flowing through saidregulator, its passage will not be restricted nor will any reduction ofpressure occur in said valve body I5 cross the port of said partition.When said valve member 38 is in its open position, there will beapproximately the same pressure in pipe III as there is in pipe I.Naturally, a reduction in pressure will occur through said choke 91.Substantially the same pressure as that carried in said casing 9I willbe present in said pipe 88 and said cap 51 ontop of said diaphragm 58,as well as in said passageway 88 or said piston rod 68, said passageway84 of said dart 89 and on top of said diaphragm 28. As the pressurebuilds up in said casing, the pressure in said pipe 88 and in thecontrolling mechanism of said regulator is increased. When this pressurehas increased to the point where the tension of said spring 63 isovercome, said piston 59 and said position 88 are moved downwardly untilsaid tapered lower end 85 of said rod engages in the counterbore at theupper end of said passageway 84 of said dart 63, which tersaidcounterbore I3 and on top of said diaphragm' 28 will flow past saidvalve seat I4 into said bore of said collar 43. and will be vented tothe atmosphere through radially extending ports or vent passages IOI. Asthe pressure within said counterbore I3 of said collar 43 and above saiddiaphragm 28 is vented through said passages IIII said piston 30, due tothe flow of pressure fluid through said port in said partition 40 aroundsaid valve stem 33, will move upwardly against this reduced pressure,carrying said valve stem 33 and valve member 38 onto its seat 39 toclose the opening through said partition 48 in said valve body I5,whereby the flow of fluid from pipe II! to pipe III is terminated. Thecoiled spring 38' may assist in closing said valve member 38, but it isnot essential therefor, as the regulator will operate as satisfactorilywithout it. It is pointed out that a quick opening and closing valve ishad, so that said valve snaps open or closed and does not pemiit anybleeding through said port or reduction of pressure in said valve bodyI5.

When the pressure in said casing 9|, said pipe 8'8 and in said cap-51 onsaid diaphragm 58 has been reduced'sufliciently; said piston 59, Ipistonrod 60 and dart 89 will gradually move upwardly until said valve face I6engages said valve seat I4, which terminates the upward movement of saiddart. The continued reducing of pressure on said diaphragm will permitsaid piston rod 60 to move upwardly, due to the tension of said spring83, whereby the tapered lower end 85 will disengage from the upper endof said dart which opens said passageway 84, so that the pressure fluidin said axial bore 81, said passageway 88 of said piston rod 60 and ontop of said diaphragm 58, will flow through said passageway 84 of saiddart, into said counterbore I3 of said collar 43 and on top of saiddiaphragm 28. When this occurs, said diaphragm, said piston 30, saidvalve stem 33 and said valve member 38 will be depressed and the openingthrough said partition 48 will again be opened, in order that fluid mayonce more flow from said line III through said valve body I5 into saidline III. I I

Figure 2 illustrates how the regulator may be used in a pipe line withthe pipe 2" being the high pressure or source of pressure fluidconnected to said regulator valve body I5 and the pipe ZII' leading fromsaid valve body. The

' condensation that may occur.

usual by-pass I93 and gate valves I94, I85 and I85 are used with thistype of installation, as well. The same type of choke I91. is installedapproximately the same distance, as shown in Figure 1, which is usuallyone joint of pipe. However, the outlet endv of said choke -instead ofbeing connected to the usual casing head has a collar I08 threadedthereon for connecting this end of said choke to the end of a pipe I84,approximately the same length as the pipe 2I1'. This pipe'i84 is of alarger diameter than the pipes 2|? and 2I1' to form a scrubber chamberor water knockout device, in order to catch any A smaller pipe 28%,forming a collecting chamber, is suspended from and connected to saidscrubber chamber its by tubular uprights 3%, so that any condensationmay drop-or flow through said uprights down into said collecting chamber204,

from which it may be periodically drained by a suitable pet coclr 285.The opposite end of said pipe or scrubber W4 is connectedto' a Tconnection I85 by a short nipple Hid, which T has a delivery pipe I68connected toits other end for conveying the regulated pressurebfluid tothe point desired. The pipe I88 extending from said cap 51 is connectedto the "third'leg of said T connection N35 for receiving the reducedpressure fluid for actuating the control mechanism of said regulator, ashas already been described. It is preferred to mount a suitable strainer208 in the pipe I88, as well as a gate valve I88, in this type ofinstallation, the same as in Figure 1.

In Figure 3 is illustrated an improved sysnected therein and extendingtherefrom. A suitable gate valve Ht is mounted in said pipe 2H betweensaid casing head and a T connection I18. A by-pass pipe H6 is screwedinto one leg of said T H5, so as to be connected to said pipe 2. Thispipe [I6 is connected to one end of a Bell choke 381, similar to theother chokes, which exhausts into said pipe. The other end of said choke381 is mounted in one leg of a T connection I28, which has a suitablebull plug 2I3 connected therein for replacing or changing said flow bean(not shown) of said choke. said T I28 has one end of a by-pass pipe I2!screwed thereinto, which extends to said cross tion of said regulator.The high pressure supply line all is connected to said box It of saidvalve body I5 and the outlet pipe M1 is connected to said box i6 of saidregulator valve body, the same as has already been described.

' IIO diametrically opposite said pipe 8" and extends to one legof a T2. The'pipe III has a. suitable, manually operated gate valve 2 mountedtherein intermediate its ends. This T II2 has a suitable bull plug II3connected into another leg and a Bell choke 291, similar to said chokes91 and I91 described in Figures 1 and 2, has lone end' screwed into theother leg of said T I 2.

The hull plug I I3'may be removed to change or replace the flow bean(not shown) of said choke 2S1 whenever desired. The other end of saidchoke 291 is screwed into one of the outlet openings I98 of a casinghead I88, similar to Figure 1, whereby any fluid'flowing through saidchoke will be exhausted directly into said casing head I98 and thecasing (not shown) depending thereconnection H8. A suitable, manuallyoperated gate valve i22 i mounted-in said pipe I2I. It is pointed outthat with this connection or system, said regulator I5 may be cut out tobe repaired or replaced, or the well beneath said casing head I may beby-passed whenever it is necessary to pull the tubing string I92 or towork on this well. Thus, it will be seen that a simple yet veryeiiicient system is provided where one well serves as a key well or areservoir for anumber of wells or other equipment. Of course, this wellmay or may not be using gas from the reservoir its casing forms.

The pipe 2 has a T connection 2I5 mounted therein. which has one end ofa pipe 288 screwed into one leg. A suitable gate valve 288' i connectedin said pipe 288. which extends from said T M5 to said pilot valve cap51. This pipe 288 also has a suitable strainer 380, similar to the otherstrainers, mounted therein for removing all foreign matter from saidpressure fluid flowing through said pipe.

In Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, a slightly modified form of the controlmechanism or pilot valve for said regulator has been shown. Thismodified form operates substantially the same as the first form,although the structure has been changed to a small degree. Thepassageway 486 of the piston rod 460 extend entirely through said pistonrod instead of terminating within said rod and the reduced portion 488of the bore 410 of said coupling member 445 is at the upper portion ofsaid bore to support the packing in the stuffing box 466. A slidable,fluted guide member 490 is loosely mounted in said bore 418, the upperedge of which is formed with a sump or recess 49L The upperend of saidsump is counterbored to form a valve seat 492 for receiving the taperedlower end 493 of said piston rod 460, which when engaging said seat 492,closes said passageway 486.

The lower end of said guide member has a short valve stem 494 threadedthereinto and depending co-axially therefrom. A small, coiled spring 419surrounds said valve stem 494 beneath said guide member 490 and restsupon the bottom of the box 444, in order to exert an upward tension uponsaid guide member and said valve stem. The bore 413 of the collar 443has its upper end reduced to form a tapered shoulder or valve seat 414,which is engaged by a valve member 418 on the lower end of said valvestem 494, to close oi! said bore 418 and box 444 from said bore 414.This bore 413 of said collar 443 is provided with a radially extending,vent port or passageway 4H for venting pressure fluid from said box 444,said bore 410 and from on top of said diaphragm 428.

As will be seen'in Figure 10, the lower end of said box 444 is connectedto said cap 423 by a longitudinal passageway 496 extending from said boxto a counterbore 491 in the lower end of the The other leg of reducedpin 442 of said collar. The lower end of said bore 413 has an externallyscrew-threaded said valve stem 494. A look nut 500 is threaded onto saidset screw to lock the same in place after said set screw has beenadjusted. The operation of this form of the invention is the same asthat set, forth for the other form and a detailed operation thereof willnot be given.

While the invention has been shown and described as controlling andregulating the flow of a fluid through a line, the invention is not tobe limited to this one use as it may be readily and easily changed tohold and maintain a predetermined back pressure on a flow line. Variouschanges, alterations and modifications may be made in th shape, size andarrangement of the hereindescribed elements, within the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pressure regulator including, a housing, fluid flow controlmeans on the housing for controlling the flow of fluid through saidhousing, said flow control means being so constructed as to be eitherfully opened or completely closed, a pressure reducer connected to thdelivery side of the regulator and spaced therefrom for reducing thepressure of the fluid flowing through the housing and the flow controlmeans, fluid operated mean connected to the delivery side of thepressure reducer for actuating said control means, means for governingthe application of the discharged fluid 'to said fluid operated means,and means for releasing the discharged fluid from said fluid operatedmeans.

2. In a pressure regulator including, a housing. fluid flow controlmeans mounted on the housing for controlling the flow of fluid throughsaid housing, said control means being so constructed as to be eitherfully opened or completely closed, a pressure reducer connected to thedelivery side of the regulator for reducing the pressure of the fluidflowing through thehousing and the flow control means, fluid operatedmeans connectedto the delivery side of the pressure reducer foractuating said control means, means for governing the application of thedischarged fluid to said fluid operated means, and mean for releasingthe discharged fluid from said fluid operated means, said releasingmeans being actuated by said governing means.

3. In a pressure regulator including, a housing, fluid flow controlmeans mounted on the housing for controlling the flow of fluid throughsaid housing, said control means being so constructed as to be eitherfully opened orcompletely closed, a pressure reducer connected to thedelivery side of the regulator for reducing the pressure of the I fluidflowing through the housing and the flow restricting means connected tothe delivery side of the regulator and spaced therefrom tor reducing thepressure of the fluid flowing through the housing and the flow controlmeans, fluid operated means connected to the delivery side of therestricting means for actuating said control means, an adjustable meansfor governing the application of the discharged fluid to said fluidoperated means, and means for releasing the discharged fluid from saidfluid operated means, said releasing means being actuated by said ad-Justable means.-

5. A pressure regulator including, a housing having an inlet and anoutlet, a valve adapted to close with fluid flow for controlling theflow of fluid between the inlet and outlet, a flow restrictor connectedto said outlet and spaced therefrom, a pressure responsive device foractuating the valve, whereby said valve discharges substantially thesame pressure into the outlet as received from the inlet, means forapplying fluid pressure from the outlet of said flow restrictor to saidresponsive means to open said valve when the pressure downstream of saidrestrlctor reaches a predetermined value and for exhausting the pressureapplied to said pressure responsive means to the atmosphere when thepressure downstream of said flow restrictor reaches anotherpredetermined value, whereby said valve is either fully opened orcompletely closed without an intermediate position.

6. In a fluid flow control device the combination with a high pressurefluid supply, of a conductor for conveying high pressure fluid from saidsupply, means in said conductor for reducing the pressure of said highpressure fluid, enclosed flow control means tending to close with fluidflow connected in said conductor in advance of and separate from thepressure reducing means and having a full open passage therethrough,whereby the flow control means discharges substantially the samepressure to said reducing means as received from the conductor,

said reducing means being spaced from said flow control means, means forapplying to the control means the force of the reduced pressure of thefluid, and means for amplifying the active force of said reducedpressure to operate said control means to control the flow of fluidthrough said conductor.

7. The combination with a high pressure fluid flow line, of a diaphragmvalve tending to close with fluid flow connected in said line and havinga full opened passage therethrough so that the valve is either fullyopened or completely closed and any intermediate position is eliminated,a pressure reducer connected in said line beyond said valve and spacedtherefrom, whereby said valve discharges substantially the same pressureas received, means for conveying fluid at its reduced pressure frombeyond said reducer to said valve to open the latter against the flowingpressure of the fluid, and means for venting the reduced actuating fluidto the atmosphere to close said valve with the flowing pressure of thefluid.

8. The combination with a well head and a flow line leading from saidhead for conducting hydro-carbon fluids under temperatures and highpressures causing freezing of mechanism when the pressure of the flowingstream is reduced, 01.

a valve tending to close with fluid flow that is either fully opened orcompletely closed and all intermediate positions are eliminated, thevalve having a high pressure side and a low pressure side and beingconnected on its high pressure side with the flow line, a pressurereducer in said line beyond said valve and spaced therefrom for reducingthe pressure of the flowing stream whereby said valve dischargessubstantially the same pressure to the reducer as received, means andmeans in said valve for venting said low pressure fluid from said valveto the atmosphere to permit the high pressure fluid to close said valve.

9 In a fluid flow control system the combination of, a fluid flow line,a, regulator connected in said flow line and adapted to be closed by theflow of fluid through said line, the regulator being so constructed asto discharge substantially the same pressure as received and to beeither fully opened or completely closed without any intermediatepositions, a choke body having a bore extending therethrough mounted insaid flo'w line on the discharge side of said regulator and spacedtherefrom, a condensation chamber connected to said flow line on thedischarge side of said regulator beyond said choke, and a by-pass lineconnected to said flow line beyond said choke means and leading to saidregulator.

10. In a pressure regulator including, a housing, fluid flow controlmeans mounted in the housing for controlling the flow of fluid throughsaid housing and adapted to close with the flow of fluid, said flowcontrol means being so constructed as to be either fully opened orcompletely closed and eliminating any intermediate position, wherebysaid flow control'means discharges substantially the same pressure asreceived, fluid operated means connected'to the delivery side of saidhousing for actuating said control means, means for governing theapplication of the discharged fluid to the fluid operated means, andmeans for releasing said discharged fluid from said fluid operated meansto the atmosphere, the releasing means being actuated by said governingmeans.

11. In a pressure regulator including, a housing, fluid control meansmounted in the housing for controlling the flow of fluid through saidhousing and adapted to close with the flow of fluid, and said controlmeans being so constructed as to be either fully opened or completelyclosed and eliminating all intermediate positions, whereby said flowcontrol means discharges substantially the same pressure as received,fluid operated means connected to the delivery side of said housing foractuating said control means, and adjustable means for governing theapplication or the discharged fluid to said fluid operated means, andmeansv for releasing the discharged fluid from said fluid operated meansto the atmosphere. 12. In a pressure regulator including, a housin fluidflow control'means mountedin the housing for controlling the flow offluid through control means, adjustable means for governing theapplication of the'discharged fluid to said fluid operated means, andmeans for releasing the discharged fluid from said operated means to theatmosphere, said releasing means being actuated by said adjustablemeans.

13. In an apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid including, valvemeans for controlling the flow of a fluid and adapted to be closed withthe flow of fluid, said valve means being so constructed as to be eitherfully opened or completely closed and eliminating all intermediatepositions, whereby said flow control means discharges substantially thesame pressure as received, fluid operated means for actuating said valvemeans. and adjustable means for governing the application of anactuating fluid to said fluid operated means, and means for releasingthe actuatin fluid from said fluid operated means to the atmosphere.

14. In an apparatus for regulatingthe fiowof a fluid including, meansfor controlling the flow or a fluid including, means for controlling theflow of a fluid and adapted to be closed with the flow of fluid, saidvalve means being'so constructed as to be either fully opened orcompletely closed and eliminating any intermediate position, wherebysaid valve means discharges substantially the same pressure as received,fluid operated means for actuating said valve means, adjustable meansfor governing the application 'of an actuating fluid to said fluidoperated means, and means for releasing the actuating fluid from saidfluid operated means to the atmosphere, said releasing means beingactuated by said adjustable means.

15. In an apparatus for regulating the flow of the fluid including,valve means adapted to be closed by the flow of the fluid forcontrolling the flow of said fluid, said valve means being soconstructed as to be either fully opened or completely closed andeliminating any intermediate position, whereby said valve meansdischarges substantially the same pressure as received, fluid 0P- eratedmeans for actuating said valve means, means beyond the valve means forreducing the pressure of the fluid discharged from said valve means,means mounted to operate independently of said valve actuating means forapplying the reduced pressure to the fluid operated means, and means forreleasing this pressure from said fluid operated means to theatmosphere. 1

16. A regulator including, a fluid flow control body, valve means in thebody adapted to be valve means being so constructed as to be eitherfully opened or completely closed and eliminating any intermediateposition, whereby said valve means discharges substantially the samepressure as received, diaphragm operated means for actuating said valvemeans, fluid actuated means for controlling the flow of a pressure fluidon to said diaphragm operated means, and means operated by the fluidactuated means for releasing the pressure fluid from said diaphragmoperated means to the atmosphere to discontinue the operation of saiddiaphragm operated means when the discharge pressure has been obtained.

1'7. In an apparatus for regulating the-flow of a fluid including, valvemeans adapted to be closed by the flow of a fluid through the apparatusfor controlling the flow of the fluid. the valve means being soconstructed as to be either fully opened or completely closed andeliminating any intermediate position, whereby said valve meansdischarges substantially the same pressure as received, restrictingmeans connected by the apparatus for reducing the pressure of the fluidflowing therethrough, fluid operatedmeans for actuating said valvemeans, an adjustable means for governing the application 01' anactuating fluid to said fluid operated means, and means for releasingthe actuating fluid from said fluid op-' erated means to the atmosphere.

18. In an apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid including, valvemeans adapted to be closed by the flow of a fluid through the apparatusfor controlling the flow of the fluid, said valve means being soconstructed as to be either fully opened or completely closed andeliminating all intermediate positions, whereby said valve meansdischarges substantially the same pressure as received, restrictingmeans connected in the apparatus for reducing the pressure of the fluidflowing therethrough, fluid operated means for actuating said valvemeans, and adjustable means for governing the application of anactuating fluid to said fluid operating means, and means for releasingthe actuated fluid from said fluid operated means to the atmosphere saidreleasing means being actuated by said adjustable means.

19. In an apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid including, valvemeans adapted to be closed by the flow of the fluid flowing through theapparatus for controlling the flow of said fluid, said valve means beingso constructed as to be either fully opened or completely closed andeliminating all intermediate positions, whereby said valve meansdischarges substantially the same pressure as received, restrictingmeans connected to the delivery side of the apparatus and spacedtherefrom for reducing the pressure of said fluid flowing through saidhousing and said valve means, fluid operated means for actuating saidvalve means, means for applying the reduced pressure of the regulatingapparatus to the fluid operated means, and means for releasing thispressure from said fluid operated means to the atmosphere.

body, valve means in the body adapted to be closed by the flow of afluid through said body, said valve means being so constructed as to beeither fully opened or completely closed and eliminating allintermediate positions, whereby said valve means dischargessubstantially the sam pressure as received, a pressure reducer connectedto the delivery side of said body and spaced therefrom for reducing thepressure of the fluid flowing through said body and said valve means,diaphragm operated means for actuating said valve means, fluid actuatedmeans for controlling the flow of a pressure fluid on the diaphragmoperatedmeans, and means operated by the fluid actuated means forreleasing the pressure fluid from said diaphragm operated means to theatmosphere to discontinue the' operation of said diaphragm operatedmeans when the desired pressure has been obtained.

21. A fluid control device including, a housing having a fluid inlet anda fluid outlet and a valve seat therebetween, a control valve movable insaid housing and engaging said seat, pressure fluid responsive means foractuating said control valve, an enclosure having a vent to theatmosphere and a pressure fluid outlet connected with the pressure fluidresponsive means, a release valve in the enclosure free from the controlvalve disposed to alternately open and close the vent and theoutletthereof, a fluid conductor element movable in the enclosure free fromthe release valve for supplying pressure fluid to the enclosure andmounted to engage and operate the release valve, and a second pressurefluid responsive means connected with the conductor element foroperating the latter and having a pressure fluid inlet communicatingwith the conductor element.

JEDDY D. NIXON.

